There is a fantastic new book on store shelves today about Leland Melvin, football star and NASA astronaut. Chasing Space
is Melvin's autobiography, and a "young readers" version of the book is
out today as well! It is suitable for grades 3 through 7! Even better,
the kid's version includes STEAM experiments for readers to try out! It is now available for purchase from Amazon!

Here is a summary of the book, from the publisher.

In
this inspiring memoir, readers will get to learn about Leland Melvin’s remarkable
life story, from being drafted by the Detroit Lions to bravely orbiting
our planet in the International Space Station to writing songs with
will.i.am, working with Serena Williams, and starring in top-rated
television shows like The Dog Whisperer, Top Chef, and Child Genius.

When
the former Detroit Lion’s football career was cut short by an injury,
Leland didn’t waste time mourning his broken dream. Instead, he found a
new one—something that was completely out of this world.

He
joined NASA, braved an injury that nearly left him permanently deaf,
and still managed to muster the courage and resolve to travel to space
on the shuttle Atlantis to help build the International Space Station.
Leland’s problem-solving methods and can-do attitude turned his
impossible-seeming dream into reality.

For young readers, Leland’s
story introduces them to the fascinating creative and scientific
challenges he had to deal with in space and will encourage the next
generation of can-do scientists to dare to follow their dreams. With
do-it-yourself experiments in the back of the book and sixteen pages of
striking full-color photographs, this is the perfect book for young
readers looking to be inspired.You can click here to order Chasing Space from Amazon!

Victor Medina is a freelance writer based in Dallas. He is the editor of several websites, and his writing credits include The Dallas Morning News, Yahoo News, Cinelinx.com and SportsIllustrated.com. He has served as a Dallas County election judge and on the Board of Directors of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas. You can follow him on his blog, VictorMedina.com or on Twitter at @mrvictormedina. He can be reached by email at vic@victormedina.com.